Generator.



1. DALBEY.

GENERATOR.

PPLICATION FILED NOV. Il, l9l5.

Patented Jan. 30, 1917.

NFEFD STATES FTFNT @FFICE JOEL BENJ'. DALBEY, 0F NEVADA, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAY A. KING, OF NEVADA, IOWA.

GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 30, 1917.

vApplication filed November 11, 1915. Serial N o. 60,962.

To all ywhom z'z may concern:

e it known that I, Joni. BENJ. DALBEY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Nevada, in the county of Story and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Generator, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a generator for hydro-carbon fuel, particularly gasolene,`of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide a generator of the kind ,mentioned which can be stored in a small compact form adapted for use when desired with a single light fixture.

Still a further object is to provide in such a generator a generator tube with a rod re# ceived therein, covered with suitable nonconducting material, and a suitable material for causing a steady even flow of gasolene, the parts being so arranged that the tube may be rotated with relation to the rod and connected for the purpose of causing friction against the material, which serves to cause the even flow of liquid.

Still a further object is to provide such a device in which the rotation of the parts is accomplished by means of a screw-threaded cover, so that the rod may be supplied with a. cleaner point, adapted to enter the discharge opening from the generator tube when the parts are rotated to one position.

Still a further object is to provide such a generator and a support therefor with parts so arranged as to make it possible to secure the rotation mentioned, and at the same time to maintain the tight joints necessary in such a device.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter' more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a generator embodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows a vertical, sectional view, of the generator and parts connected therewith. Fig. 3 shows a vertical, sectional View, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a view of the rod and cleaner point in side elevation, the non-heat conducting and liquid conducting material being shown partly broken away, and part of one of the inclosing members being shown in side elevation, and Fig. 5 shows a top or plan view of the supporting bracket at the upper end of the fixture. Fig. 6 shows a vertical, central sectional view of the collar end of the rod showing the manner in which the cleaner needle is detachably mounted.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the supporting bracket. Secured to the supporting bracket 10 and extending downwardly therefrom is a tube 11. Screwed into the lowerend of the tube 11 is a support or fixture member 12, screwed into the upper end of which is a fixture member 13 communicating with a supply tube 14k. A passage 15 extends longitudinally through the support 12 and is provided with a screwthreaded restricted upper end and with a larger portion below the restricted portion.l and with a still larger portion below said rst named larger portion.

Extending into the passage 15 and screwed into the screw-threaded restricted upper portion thereof is a rod 16, fixed to the lower end of which is a cleaner needle or point 17. For convenience sake, I shall hereinafter call the first above described larger portion the intermediate portion of the passage 15, and the lower larger portion thereofl the larger portion.

The upper end of the rod 16 is pro* vided with ya passage or hole 18, communieating with the restricted portion of the passage 15 or with the space above it, and at the lower end of the passage or opening 18 is a transverse passage 19, whereby the lower end of the passage 18 communicates with the intermediate portion of the passage 15 in the support 12.

Screwed into the lower part of the intermediate portion of the passage 15 is a sleeve 20 on the lower end of which, spaced below the support 12 is an enlarged internally screw-threaded cylindrical portion 21. Surrounding the sleeve 2O and screwed into the enlarged lower end of the passage 15 is a plug or the like 22. In the enlarged portion of the passage 15 above the plug 22 is suitable packing material 23. It will be seen that the sleeve 20 may be rotated within the support 12 without'in any way interfering with the packing 23.

Screwed into the lower end of the portion 21 is the upper end of a generator tube 24.

Slidably mounted on the generator tube 24 is a collar 25. Mounted on th-e collar 25 is a cylindrical extension at the upper end of the heat bell 27. The heat bell 27 is held on the collar and the collar is detachably mounted on the generator tube by means of a set screw 26 extended through the cylindrical extension of the heat bell and through the collar 25 and designed to engage the generator tube 24.

On the lower end of the generator tube 24 is a cap 28 having a cylindrical downward extension 29 in which is a very small h ole 30, with a tapered passage leading thereto.

Screwed on to the extension 30 is a downwardly extending cylinder 31, which is secured to the portion 32'L1 of the burner 32, having the burner tips 33 on which are the mantles 34. The portion 32a is provided with an opening 32b for air supply or to receive an air supply tube.

Mounted on the rod 16 within the tube 24 and between the extension 21 and the lower end of the g-enerator tube is suitable nonheat conducting material 35 preferably woven asbestos. llnveloping the material 35 is a layer of brass screen or other suitable material for accomplishing the purpose. The asbestos protects the rod 16 from the heat. The screen or other suitable material 36 holds the asbestos in shape and can also be wound on the asbestos and on the rod 16 in such a. way as to be tapered at its ends at 37, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, to make it easier to insert the rod with the asbestos and screen thereon into the generator tube. rIhe screen thus prevents the asbestos from becoming tightly packed against the inner wall of the generator tube, and also furnishes an easier path for the flow of gaso- 4lene, than does the asbestos, so that the gasolene tends to travel toward the generator tube adjacent to the wall thereof, rather than adjacent to the rod 16, whereby the gasolene travels along the path where it is subjected to the greatest heat. The screen also tends to make the flow of gasolene uniform and even. Y

The asbestos tube is placed on the rod 16 and the screen is then placed on the asbestos in such a way that when the generator tube is rotated at its point of connection with the support 12, the asbestos and the screen rotate with the generator tube and with relation to the rod 16.

The advantages of the use of the asbestos and screen 30 will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The cleaner needle 17 is extended through a short tube 38, and its inner end is bent over said tube, as shown in Fig. 6. The tube 38 with the cleaner needle 17 therein is inserted into an opening 39 in the end of the rod 16. It will thus lbe seen that by gripping the point of the needle 17 with pliers or the like, the needle 17 and the tube 38'may be removed from the opening 39 for placing a new cleaner needle in the rod 16.

It will be noted that a suitable connection 40 is provided mounted in the bracket 10 whereby a supply wire or tube may be connected with my improved mantle.

In the actual use of my improved generator it will be noted that it can be shipped practically in its assembled form, it being necessary to remove only the burner 32 and the heat bell 27. This is done by unscrewing the portion 32a from the member 31, by loosening the set screw 36 and sliding the heat bell downwardly and over the end of the generator tube. n

It will be noted that the cylindrical portion at the upper end of the heat bell is larger in diameter to readily pass over the cap 28. lt should also be mentioned in this connection that the tube 24 is screwed tightly into the portion 21 and also that the cap 28 is screwed tightly on the tube and the burner 32 screwed tightly on the member 31, which is tightly secured to the cap 28, so that when the tube 24 and the burner 32 are rotated, the sleeve 20 will rotate where it is screwed into the support 12, and there will be no rotation at any other point. It will also be noted in this connection that by unscrewing the tube 24 from the member 21, the generator tube may be removed from the rod. Or if desired by unscrewing the sleeve 2O from the support 12, and sliding the sleeve 2O and the tube 24 a short distance off the rod 16, and unscrewing the rod 16 from the support 12, the entire generator tube and rod therein may be quickly and easily removed for repairing or replacing the parts.

One of the important features of my improved generator is the ease with which it may be assembled or taken apart for any purpose. f

ln its practical use, the gasolene travels through the passages 18 and 19and thence through the sleeve 20 to the generator tube 24. In this connection it will be noted that the ope-ning in the sleeve 2O is of slightly greater diameter than the rod 16 in order to permit the free passage of fuel. The fuel then passes through the generator tube to the burner and to the mantles. The particular description of the burner is not here referred to, insomuch as the burner forms no part of my improved generator invention.

The generator tube, it will be noted, is subjected to the heat from the flame of the mantles 34. In this connection it may be mentioned that the use of the screen 36 prevents the asbestos 35 from sticking to the generator tube when hot which it would do if it were not for the screen or some other Y suitable means. The screen also affords a path for the iiow of fuel and tends to maintain uniformity of flow. The screen also holds the asbestos in shape, particularly at the tapered ends of the screen, so that the rod 16 and the asbestos and screen thereon may be readily removed from the generator tube. The screen tends to cause the liquid to ilow next to the heat of the tube 24 where it will be subjected to the greatest heat.

The use of the asbestos alone is unsatisfactory insomuch as t-he asbestos tends to pack and to cling to the metal and ultimately to obstruct the flow of liquid, although the gasolene will How through the asbestos, particularly the woven form for a considerable length of time, before any trouble is experienced. Y

By the use of both the screen and the asbestos a lter is formed for the gasolene and impurities are left in the generator tube. These impurities in the case of the use of asbestos alone would in a short time clog the tube. Where, however, the screen is used in connection with the asbestos, the generator tube can be used for a great deal longer time without danger of clogging up.

Attention is now called to the rotating operation of the generator tube 24 and to the advantages thereof. It has been noted that the parts are so arranged that 'the screen and asbestos rotate with the generator tube 24 and not with the rod 16, and it will be noted that as result of suoli construction when the generator tube and the screen and asbestos are rotated, the asbestos is loosened and prevented from sticking to the rod 16 and any scale which tends to be formed on the rod 16, on account of deposits from the impurities in the fuel is broken up, so that the rotation of the parts assists in maintaining a path for the fuel for a longer time than would otherwise be the case.

Another and very important result of the means whereby the generator tube 24 is mounted, results from the screw-threaded rotation of the sleeve 2O in the support 12, whereby when the tube 24 is rotated, it will travel slightly upwardly and downwardly with relation to the rod 16, thereby moving the cleaner needle 17 into and out of the re stricted opening 30, whereby said opening may be readily and easily kept clean.

Mounted on the plug 22 is a laterally projecting finger 41, adapted to engage an upwardly projecting finger 42 on the portion 21, whereby the rotary movement of the portion 21 and the tube 24 is limited to substantially one complete rotation, thereby preventing the separation of the parts by too great rotation of the tube 24 in one direction through the cleaning operation. It will be seen that by imparting reciprocatory rota.- tion to the tube 24 at any time, the passage 30' may be thoroughly cleaned.

One of the great diiiiculties experienced in making generator tubes, results from the fact that the discharge passage for the gasov lene gas must be very small and that it frequently becomes clogged on account of impurities and the like. The makers of lights of this type have therefore attempted to devise various means for cleaning the restricted gas passage. Wherever these cleaners have been mounted on the generator or adjacent thereto, they have been comparatively unsatisfactory for the reason that if they are subjected to too great heat, the cleaner needle loses its temper and is burned up, so that it soon fails to do its work, becoming sometimes so rotten that it will not clean the opening at all. lt will be noted that my generator tube and cleaner have been so constructed as to prevent heating of the cleaner needle 17. The parts are so arranged that the rod 16 and the cleaner needle are' not in contact with metal except with the screen 36 at any point below the heat bell, and there is very slight contact with the screen 36. In fact if the screen 36 is properly wound at the lower end, it will not be in conta-ct with the rod 16.

Below the heat bell the cleaner needle is subjected to only the heat of the passing gas, which is not great enough to take the temper from the needle or -to cause it to disintegrate or go to pieces. The heat bell prevents, to a suliicient extent, the traveling of the heat up the tube 24 to the portion 21, thence up the sleeve 20 to the support 12, thence to the rod 16 and downwardly to the needle 17. It will be noticed that this construction is such that there is little danger of over heating the cleaner needle. ln the practical building of lamps of this type this is a very important consideration. Incidentally it will be noted that in a generator constructed as here shown, there is no packing below the heat bell to become hardened and as result thereof ineificient for making a tight joint.

.lWhile in the drawings herewith I have showna lamp arranged with the mantles upright adjacent to the generator tube, it will readily be seen that the generator tube could be inverted in position for making a different form of lamp or that the mantles v could be hung downwardly if desired. It thus appears that my improved generator may be used with any ordinary type of lamp, and it of course could be used with stove burners and the like. If the generator is inverted the heat bell 27 may be dispensed with.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved generator without departing from its essential features and purposes, and it is my intention to cover by this application any such changes which may be included within the reasonable scope of my claims. I

I claim- 1. In a device of the class described, a support, a generator tube mounted for screw-threaded rotation with relationV thereto, said tube having a restricted discharge passage at its end farthest away from said support, a rod mounted on said support, a cleaner' needle on the end of said rod adjacent to said discharge passage, non-heat conducting material surrounding said rod, said parts being so arranged that the rotation of said tube with relation to said support causes said cleaner needle to enter said discharge passage.

2. In a generator, a tube having a restrict ed discharge opening, a rod mounted in said tube, said tube and rod being mounted for screw-threaded adjustment with relation to each other, and partially received within said tube, non hea-t conducting material mounted on said rod within said tube, means for surrounding said material for holding it in position and in shape adapted to permit the passage of fuel, and a cleaner needle on said rod.

3. In a generator tube, a support, a tube mounted for rotation with relation thereto, a rod mounted in said support, and partially received within said tube, non-heat conducting material mounted on said rod within said tube, means for surrounding said material for holding it in position and in shape adapted to permit the passage of fuel, said non-heat conducting material and the material enveloping it being so arranged as to rotate with the tube and with relation .to the rod. y

l. In a generator, a support, a tube'mounted for screw-threaded rotation with relation thereto, a rod mounted in said support, and partially received within said tube, nonheat absorbing material mounted on said rod within said tube, means for surrounding said material for holding it in position and in shape adapted to permit the passage of fuel, said generator tube having a restricted discharge passage, enveloping material being arranged to hold the rod away from contact with the tube when said rod and tube are rotated with relation to each other, and a cleaner needle mounted in said rod and adapted to enter said passage when the rod and tube are rotated with relation to each other.

5. In a device of the class described, a support, provided with a passage extending through it, a rod having one end received in said passage and secured to said support, a sleeve having one end mounted for rotation in said passage between the ends thereof, packing around said sleeve, means for retaining said packing for making a tight joint around said sleeve. a generator tubeV communicating with said sleeve designedV to rotate therewith and to receive said rod, and non-heat conducting material on said rod within said sleeve. y

Des Moines, Iowa, October l5, 1915.

JOEL BENJ. DALBEY.

Contes of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner ofV Patents Washington, D. C. 

